The model used to make the mould is made from clay and
sand. This is the same model as I used for socketed axe 1. As the first
one had some flaws, I decided to cast a second one.

Mould

The mould is made from fired clay and sand. It exists of
two halves and a core. This core also forms the casting opening, where
the bronze flows in to the mould through channels in the core. Unlike the
mould of socketed axe 1, this one fired well without damage.

Casting result

This time I got a perfect axe. The loop is complete, and
also the mould filled up to both shoulders of the axe.

Finished axehead

The axehead is fully finished. The flash and casting feed
broke away easily. This means that the bronze is quite brittle. This might
be caused by the lead which is part of the alloy. This brittleness made
finishing the cutting edge a lot more difficult. When trying to hammer
it thin, I noticed the beginnings of cracks right away. Fortunately with
careful further grinding and hammering I could prevent any further growth
of the cracks, and ground them away for the most part.